Fond du Lac Police Officer Craig Birkholz had a 'calling' to serve

Mar. 23, 2011

Fond du Lac firefighter Mike Spencer waits in the freezing rain Wednesday for the flag-draped casket of Officer Craig Birkholz to pass. The procession included hundreds of law enforcement from jurisdictions around the state. / The Reporter photo by Patrick Flood

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Fond du Lac Police Department Officer Craig Birkholz

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Hundreds of mourners — the vast majority of them in uniform — turned out Wednesday night to pay their respects to the family, friends and colleagues of fallen Fond du Lac Police Officer Craig Birkholz.

A visitation and memorial service filled the expansive Holy Family Catholic Church in Fond du Lac.

Law enforcement officers and firefighters from departments throughout the state braved tough wind, snow and icy weather conditions to be a part of the memorial service.

“Craig was surely one of the best police officers that I could have hired,” said Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly, telling officers that they, like Birkholz, had a “calling” to serve their community.

Birkholz died Sunday morning as a result of gunfire in a standoff on South Lincoln Avenue on Fond du Lac’s west side.

“He (Birkholz) always finished the goals he set out to accomplish,” Barthuly said. “He wanted to be an outstanding team member, willing to step up and help.”

Barthuly called Birkholz a “hero,” saying he charged to a scene to help fellow officers Sunday and made the ultimate sacrifice of his life.

Deputy Chief Kevin Lemke read “A Policeman’s Prayer” and then the Oath of Honor that Birkholz read when he was sworn as a Fond du Lac police officer.

Birkholz’s older brother, Paul Birkholz, spoke about the significant differences between him and his brother. Craig had a clean room, neatly arranged clothes and toys that lasted for years. Paul said Craig would be lucky to get into his room due to the mess and he’d see his clothes balled-up in a corner and toys that were broken within hours.

Despite their differences throughout life, Paul said Craig would approach situations with an “open mind and open heart.”

A number of Craig Birkholz’s fellow officers spoke about his dedication, his pride and his love of family. One said he will leave a “legacy of bravery.”

An uncle, Tim Esser, said Craig Birkholz was the “pride of the family.”

A friend from Kenosha who mentioned Birkholz’s love of the Green Bay Packers said he was happy the team’s Super Bowl victory occurred before Birkholz died.

“He always put people before himself,” the friend said. “Everything he did was for the greater good.”

A funeral service for Birkholz will be held Saturday in his native Kenosha.

A musician played the harp as mourners gathered prior to the service; the sounds of bagpipe music were heard as officers and their spouses made their way to their seats in the church.

Four video screens around the church showed a series of photos that marked Birkholz’s life. The screens were later were used to show live video of the service.